Oct. 1887.] 



AND OOLOGIST. 



175 



the least of which is inundation. Wlien we 

 wish a set of its eggs we enter the channel of 

 the stream where it unites with the larger one 

 and wend our way up, scrutinizing each bunch 

 of dead leaves lodged in the bank as we go. It 

 seems nice at first, dodging from side to side, 

 but we tire, unquestionably. Here we meet 

 with a fallen log which we climb over, and 

 here another lying idly across the channel, 

 which we crawl under. Innocent looking logs, 

 these — we would never know they are loaded 

 with chigres ; but alas, we will ! 



As we pass on the moccasin coiled on the 

 limb overhano-ing the water, and somewhat 

 higher than our heads, treats our approach 

 with the coldest indifference, but as we draw 

 nearer it slides off all at once within a foot or 

 so of our face, just in time to wriggle at our 

 feet. This is an odd trait that it never tires of, 

 but we do and this is why we are provided 

 with a club instead of a chestnut bell. After 

 paying it our compliments in a satisfactory 

 manner we keep the even tenor of our way. 

 We have hitherto given the banks the whole of 

 our attention but now it is divided between 

 them and the over-hanging branches. We are 

 now well up the stream and see a Water 

 Thrush fly from its nest, make a dip down- 

 ward, allowing its breast to barely skim over 

 the surface of the water, then diopping its 

 wings run fluttering along on the sand. 



AVe turn our attention to the nest If typical, 

 we cannot see the eggs nor the inside of the 

 nest which are concealed by the over-hanging 

 bank when we are standing upright, but we see 

 the lower portion and the whole is supported 

 by a root which has been exposed by the action 

 of the water. 



Now I shall try to describe the nest. It is 

 usually placed from a foot to two and a half 

 feet above the water. The bottom part consists 

 wholly of dead leaves pasted together with 

 mud. The mud is not so plentiful as it is in 

 the nests of the Wood Thrush (Hi/locichla mus- 

 telina) and Robin {Merula mUj ratoria) ; in fact, 

 none appears to be used except such as adheres 

 to the leaves as they are gathered from the 

 svi'amp. Inside of this are finer, dryer leaves, 

 followed ))y rootlets, grasses and at times some 

 hair, which constitute the lining. I meet with 

 no other nest so cleverly assimilated to its sur- 

 roundings. The nests of PolioptUa cuerttlca 

 and Trochilus colubris so nicely stuccoed with 

 gray lichens, doubtless resembles knots and 

 are not easily discerned by the novice, yet the 

 experienced eye detects the difterence by a 

 glance, even from a distance ; but it is not ever 



thus with the nest of the Louisiana Water 

 Thrush. Dead leaves dripping still with water 

 from the marsh are spread around the nest and 

 there allowed to dry, giving it the appearance 

 of a lump of leaves washed out by high water, 

 and I challenge the adept otilogist to discrimi- 

 nate between them at all times. He may often, 

 yet at times it requires a nice distinction that 

 simply cannot be made. He may take leaves 

 to be the nest or think the nest leaves. I once 

 found a nest behind a bunch of fern the leaves 

 of which hung down and hid it completely 

 from view, while the bird's head stuck out be- 

 tween. All of the nests I have seen were over 

 running water, except one which was on the 

 side of a hill that terminated abruptly in a 

 marsh. It was placed about two feet above 

 stagnant water. 



The nest complement is four or five, mostly 

 five. The egg varies greatly in size as well as 

 markings. It is white spotted generally with 

 brown, with lavender sub-markings. It is well 

 to allow the set to be completed before finding. 

 Last season I found four nests containing one 

 egg and all were afterwards forsaken; also 

 found five unfinished nests, two of which were 

 completed and three abandoned. Have had 

 similar luck in other seasons. 



The Water Thrush is quick in its every move- 

 ment and seems to be in motion almost inces- 

 santly. When on the wing it generally follows 

 channel of the stream in all its windings, keep- 

 ing almost even with the top of the banks. At 

 times it may be seen crossing from one stream 

 to another, always flying low and gone in an 

 instant. The experience of collectors who have 

 met with it in difterent parts of its habitat may 

 be somewhat at variance with mine, but I have 

 attempted a description of its nesting and some 

 of the characteristics of the bird as I have come 

 in contact with them from field experience irre- 

 sie^^tive of all others. 



Curious Nest and Eggs of a Crow. 



BY FRANK L. BURNS, BERWYN, PA. 



On the afternoon of the 29th of May, 1SS7, 

 while walking through the woods between 

 BerwjMi and Devon, and not far from a small 

 sheet of water known as "Devon Lake," five 

 or six crows flew directly over my head, making 

 an incessant clatter. And soon, while ap- 

 proaching a thicket of green briers, saplings, 

 etc., a female crow flew out and up. In a small 

 beech tree, about twelve feet up, and far out on 



